Davy Jones

A singer, actor, and jockey who became a teen idol in the '60s and '70s, David "Davy" Jones' chief claim to fame was his career as a Monkee and his vocal rendition of "Daydream Believer." Jones was born in Manchester, England to a railway fitter and a homemaker. He was raised in a family with four children, three sisters and himself. Jones developed an interest in entertaining at a young age with his first play, Tom Sawyer. It was not until after his mother's death from emphysema in 1960 that Jones lost his interest in school and left home to become a horse-racing jockey.

Basil Foster, the jockey Jones apprenticed with, recognized Jones' acting and singing ability, and encouraged him to pursue his acting career. His persistence paid off, and Jones had television parts in Coronation Street and June Evening, and a part in the BBC radio play There Is a Happy Land. It was these appearances, a part in the London and American musical Oliver!, and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show that led Colpix Records/Columbia Pictures to sign a contract with Jones. At the age of 20, Jones had produced his first album, called simply David Jones.

In September of 1966, The Monkees first aired. Along with Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, and Michael Nesmith, Jones came into the households of thousands each week. Nine albums were released and included songs such as "Daydream Believer," "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You," and "Valleri," which featured Jones singing. The Monkees, although popular with teenage girls, aired only until 1968.

After the Monkees disbanded, Jones pursued a solo career, signing with Bell Records. He released several singles with Bell and performed two Japanese tours before signing with MGM in 1973. He made cameo appearances on The Brady Bunch and Love American Style. In the mid-'70s, Jones teamed up with songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and ex-MonkeeMicky Dolenz to produce an album and perform on tour. Jones joined a group called Toast in the early '80s and toured Japan extensively. After the rejuvenation of the Monkees on MTV and Nickelodeon, three of the original Monkees (Jones, Dolenz, and Tork) got together to do the album Pool It! and a Christmas medley video. The group also did a 20th anniversary tour in 1986 and then regrouped to do another tour in 1989. The final Monkees reunion album (this time including Michael Nesmith in addition to the trio of Jones, Dolenz, and Tork), Justus, arrived in 1996.

During the '90s, aside from the last brief Monkees reunion, Jones pursued his solo music career and acted mainly in the theater, starring in Oliver! and Grease. His love for horse racing was still very much alive, and in 1996 in Lingfield, England, he won his first amateur race. A resident of Pennsylvania in the U.S., Jones wrote two autobiographies, They Made a Monkee Out of Me and They Made a Monkee Out of Me...Again!, which recount Jones' days as a Monkee, his family, his marriages, and his touring experiences. He also made appearances on several popular late-'90s television shows, including The Single Guy and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Jones compiled demos, outtakes, and other rare material for the four-volume Just for the Record CD series released in 1999, and after the turn of the millennium, he also issued two new independent solo albums, Just Me (the title a play on the aforementioned Justus) in 2001 and Just Me 2 in 2004. She, a collection of standards including "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?," followed in 2009. Just over two years later, he suffered a heart attack and died at his home on February 29, 2012. ~ Kim Summers, Rovi

I remember in the episode of the Monkees where Davy is supposedly going back to England, at the part where he's saying goodbye to the other guys, I just had to pause the DVD and take a minute because I was crying so hard. Can't believe he's gone, I feel like I've lost my best friend. I know I've never met him, but that doesn't matter. I love you Davy!"I can't get you off of my mind!"

He died on Leap Day, too. So his death day doesn't happen next year. But his birthday is coming up on the 30th. I will be bawling. :( Sorry if I keep babbling about him, but believe me, I would talk about him for hours on end if I could. He was just an amazing person. Gee whiz, I'm almost crying now.

One time Davy gave a little girl his drivers license because he didn't have anything else to autograph. It's a true story, I swear, and it will make you cry buckets. Look up Rhonda Cook. It's the most beautiful story in the world.

He is my absolute favorite! I will never stop loving him! He will always be my one and only celebrity crush! Actually, he was rushed to the hospital after running his favorite horse around the track and then complaining of chest pains. He did not die in his home. Gone way too soon. I will cry for the rest of my life over Davy Jones, and that's a promise. <3

Such a huge part of my childhood.... so sad when he passed. I was actually listening to a Monkees greatest hits CD when I read the news. Daydream Believer is probably one of my all time favorite songs. I was lucky enough to see them on the reunion tour in Gainesville, FL. It was great!

I was crushed when I saw the tabs on the news stand with the news of his passing. Many great memories from the tv show and songs.

3 years ago

cherry1958

I had such a crush on you Davy...I too kissed my monkey album everyday..my brother just told me yesterday...remember you used to kiss the tv when Davy Jones cam on! Rest in Peace...i hope your family knows how much you ment to all the young girls in America....God Bless

You were my #1, in my heart back in that time. It's sad to see you go!!! But you will always be in my heart. You'll surely be missed by the world!! MY thoughts and prayers to the family at this sad time.LOL,

3 years ago

donnaj84

what a shock! My condolences to the family- we will have tremendous MONKEE memories!